Striking workers at Tata Motors’ Sanand plant continued to remain defiant despite conciliatory efforts by the management and the Gujarat government even as the strike entered its 13th day on Friday.

About 426 workers have been on strike at the Nano plant since February 22, after 28 of their colleagues were suspended for what the company termed as serious misconduct.

“The company refused to provide us transportation from the plant today. When we were walking along the highway, we were stopped by policemen who abused us and made us return home”, said Umesh Rathod, who is part of the seven-member workers’ committee formed to negotiate with the Tata Motors management.

Responding to the situation, a Tata Motors spokesperson said, “The government of Gujarat order dated March 2, 2016, clearly prohibits the strike at our plant and directs workmen to resume work and restore normalcy. However, despite our repeated appeals and advisories by various government agencies, workmen continued to illegally occupy the plant premises on Thursday and even since this morning. We have clearly communicated the government order that they either resume their duty or vacate the premises. As included in the order, the matter is referenced to the Industrial Tribunal and we will abide by this process.

We continue to remain keen to engage in discussions with striking workmen in consonance with legal order of their starting normal work and without any compromise on safety, discipline, productivity and quality. We hope good counsel will prevail amongst workmen and they will restore normalcy.”